Nonsagging, oppositely-swining hinge structure



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. H. REICHART NONSAGGING, OPPOSITELY-SWINGING HINGE STRUCTURE rmll Jan. 22, 1952 Filed Feb. 28, 1946 g INVENTOR. J/wfs REM/Mk7: Y

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Jan. 22, 1952 J. H. REICHART Filed Feb. 28, 1946 NONSAGGING, OPPOSITELY-SWINGING HINGE STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVEN TOR. J/mfs Kim/mm J. H. REICHART Jan. 22, '1952 NONSAGGING, OPPOSITELY-SWINGING HINGE STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 28, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 k El Patented Jan. 22, 1952 UNITED TATES PATENT "2,583,305

NONSAGGING; ofrro sI'r ihGjsWiniGiNG *HINGESTRUGTURE' James H. Reichart,. MIIHGiQ IIld-J Merchants jlrust Go. executor of said James H; R'eihar t,

1 deceased 2 Claims. .1

Thls-inventionrelatesto aclosure member or doorstructure which may 'swing upon either of two parallel axes spaced apart approximately the widthf -the-door accommodating opening and-thus swing oppositely.

This invention is directed to a non-sagging door-*s'upporingliingewhercby the inventionimay "be"'{ised tor heavy"refrigerator doors, household door-s etceas well as doors for bathroom and like Cabinets;

This-lnvention may be disposed in concealed h position -*vvhen-- the door or closure is in closed "position.

This invention is peculiarly advantageous for 'rfzigemtdrsyetm; hi'elimow areprovided with left or-right-handopening doors and; ownership' of one type -may be most inconvenient to the ownerif-he moves: and-the only available space for the refrigerator-issuch that the other type would be a most convenient.

This inventionis directed to a hingestructuret-the load-capacity of which'may be increased or decreased with aminimum of parts and-change of'- parts as hereinafter pointed out.

-This -invention is -direeted :to a self bracing, oppositely swir'igable hinge structure, thereby omitting the necessity of closure guides and supports other than thehinge structure or structures if more thanone be employed.

This invention, like that disclosed in copending application Serial No. 517,909-filed January 12th, 1944, nowPatent No. 2,414,485, dated January 21, 1947,- contemplates the inclusion in each hinge 'structurawhichis of dual type, ofa number-"of parallel members, one of which always swings with the door.

This invention is also directedto the channel or equivalent construction of the outer hinge members and the aligned pivots of the hinge members whereby the channel effect eliminates sagging-and the pivots also constitute aligned bearings or supportsas well as catches.

The foregoing briefly summarizes the chief objects and features of theinvention. Other 0bwith the-doorswung to the right.

Fig; 3 --is anenlarged transverse sectional: view taken on line 3- -3'of Fig. l-ai'id inthe dii'ection of the arrows. M r I Fig. 4 isa'top plan view ci-the mounted cabinet with-the door-thereofinclosed position.

Fig. 5 is a front view of'amodified'iormb'f hinge unit-which includes six-successively sized channels-same being link connected together and partly opened to 'the i lef-t 1 Fig. 6 is-a similar view off the same embodiment partly opened-to-theright. I

- Fig. 7 is a front view of the said six ch'aiinel hinge unit and in e extended relation prior to collapse into unit formation-as shown in Figs. 5 andG, A v

Fig; -8 is atop plan view thereofrinextended relation. V

Fig. 9 is a front-elevation of another-modified form of the unit utilizing 'links, outboard bearings and a mounting 'plate -inste adofthe links and channels illustrated-in Figs: 5 to 8 inclusive.

Fig. '10 is a-diagr-ammaticfront and end eleva tion of one-form of self-bracing association of-a hinge unit.

is seated a cabinet l9 havinga closure -2 D. T he cabinet is flashed as-at 2| about the opening and by whichsamemay be suitably secured if desired to said studding, although cabinet side mounting may be utilized if desired. l he cabinet flashing and sides may be: grooved as at 2 2 so as to refceive -and support-shelves- 23, see" Figs. land 2.

The foregoing-naturally is generally applicable to refrigeratorunits of the portable of built-in type, and also applies to'conventional doors" and enclosingframes. Since the closure "Z'Whrein laps the'openingflashing and the containefportion, and is spaced outwardly from "the "wall'j'iio handles; knobs, etc., are'pro'viddbn the closure which may have a mirror f-rht.

At each of the top and bottom of tmsopehmg is locateda hinge fiiiit, 'each'fiiiifh rig two parallel pivotal axesspacd' apart, "upon'either of which the cldsuremaybeswiing. Each unit is of compact character" and is diiaTin nature providing a rigid, sag, llriiin'a't ii'ig' arrangement. The number of'lm efi'tsin each di'i'al'; llllllt'ipl'e hinge unit may be increasd "orue'crease'd, as desired; or 'rqu'iiedf and the" e1ement-arrangement thrbft'nay"be'valied as'nereinarterpointed out.

identical and similarly mounted so a description of one will suffice for both. A pair of angles and 3| are positioned at opposite ends of each unit and are suitably secured as at 32 and 33 respectively to the flashing 2|. These members also secure the'bridging channel 34 with upper and lower flanges 35 and 36'. Note that flashing 2|, see Fig. 3, is cut away as at 2 la to nest or accommodate the unit.

Herein the angle 30 has a forwardly projecting portion 38 spaced below the channel flange 36. Herein angle 3|, see right-hand corners of Fig. 1, has a forwardly projecting portion 39 spaced above the channel flange 35. A channel 31, see Figs. 1 to 3, is suitably secured to the back of closure 20 and has flanges 40 and 4| projecting therefrom. This channel has a length that is approximately equal to the width of the closure. A bar or strap link 42, see Fig. 1, has one end pivoted at 43 to portion 39. The other end is pivoted at 44 to flange 40. A link 45 immediately below flange 40 is pivoted to flange 35 as at 46, same being aligned with pivot 44. The other end of link 45 is pivoted at 41 to flang 40 of the closure carrying channel 31.

Inalignment with pivot 41 is a pivot 48 upon flange 41 by which it is pivoted to one end of link 49. The other end of link 49 is pivoted at 50 to a projecting portion 38 of angle 30. In alignment with pivot 50 the flange 4| of channel 37 is pivoted at 5| to one end of a link 52 that lies immediately beneath flange 36 of channel 34. The other end of this link 52 is pivoted at 53 to said flange 36 in alignment with pivots 41 and 48 when the door is in the closed position shown in Fig. 4.

As shown in Fig. 1 the outer or left end of opened closure 20 in the top hinge unit has two spaced aligned pivots and the right hand end of the box portion has two spaced aligned pivots, while the two adjacent ends have four pivots which are aligned in pairs, the pairs being spaced apart. When the closure is swung oppositely, see Fig. 2, the number of pivots is the same, that is there are again two at the then left end of the container, two at the then open end of the closure and four spaced pivots at the adjacent portions.

Whenever desired there may be frictionally applied to the structure a cover 54 having parallel flanges 55 and 56 at the top and bottom and curved ends 51 and 58. This is pressure applied and frictionally retained within the flashing supported channel or channels.

Reference will now be had to Figs. 5 to 8, iiiclusive. Herein 60 indicates the largest channel which may have any length and same is provided with apertures 60a at'each end and with top and bottom flanges 6|. At one end are aligned bearing or contact members 62. At the opposite end at 63 are pivots to which are connected adjacent ends of links 64 in turn pivotally connected at the other ends at 65 to a channel 66 having flanges 61. Note in Figs. 7 and 8 these two channels are oppositely directed.

Herein channel 66 is apertured at 66a adjacent the ends. These apertures need not be of the same spacing as apertures 60a. At the other end of flanges '61 at 68 are pivoted links 69 which at their other ends are pivoted at 10 to channel ll having flanges 12. Channel H faces the same way as channel 60. Channel II is apertured at lid and same registers with apertures 60a when assembled as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

The other end of channel 1| is pivotally connected at 13 to links 14 in turn pivoted at their other ends at 15 to channel 16 having flanges 11 and apertured as at 16c, the spacing of which is like that of apertures 66a. Channel 16 faces the same Way as channel 66. To flanges 11 at '18 are pivoted links 19.

In succession channel 8|, links 84 and channel 86 are similarly connected, see Figs. 7 and 8. Note that each pair or links has the ends adjacent the larger channel pivoted mternaily to the flanges thereof and the ends adjacent the smaller channel pivoted externally thereto.

Also note alternate channels are similarly faced and ad acent channels are oppositely faced. Also apertures tua, I la and 81a register and apertures 65a, 16a. and 86a also register. Like contacts 62 at the outer or remote end of channel 60, the channel 86 and flanges 81 thereof at the outer ends mount contacts 88.

Referring to Figs. o and 6 observe that corresponding pivots or alternate channels are aligned, as it were, and that when the hinge is opened to the right or left the pivots in alignment with the then nmge axis are vertically aligned and contact. when opened one way, see Fig. :1, outern'iost contacts 02 are aligned and provide predetermlned spacing which is enective to prevent axial separation. when opened the other way, see Fig. 0', ad acent or innermost contacts 68 are similarly enectlve to prevent axial collapse. .L'hus a rigid hinge arrangement is provided at all times and in an positions or the closure. I

One set of channels, all similarly raced arc secured to a frame, for example by screws, etc., applied through the registering apertures. other set or similarly laced channels is similarly secured to the oppositely swingaole closure. Herein but two apertures per channel are illustrated. However, more may be provided when additional attachment is required. The resulting structure is a mutually reimorcing, load divioing, anal action nmge unit or double ca acity type. Note that when the closure is in closed position the pivot and contacts, or which there are two, each of the contacts being coincident with a vertical hinge axis, insures that the closure will seat in the frame opening, and that no additional guide or auxiliary supports are required for door guidance in its seating or closing action, or for supporting such a door when in the closed position.

In other words, the hinge unit is of sag preventing character. This is especially noticeable on heavy doors where the top and bottom there: of are each provided with a unit as aforesaid. Whenever desired a mask or shield, such as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 and indicated at 54 therein may be utilized with the invention shown in Figs. 5 to 8.

Reference will now be had to Fig. 9 wherein the outboard bearing type illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 is included. These outboard members are designated as 89 and 90. Two channels 9i and 92 only are shown and these are similarly connected together by links 93. A special mounting plate 94 may be secured to channel 9|. A similar plate may be secured to channel 92. The swingable member usually, however, will be se cured directly to channel 92 and the support secured to channel 91 in any desired or required manner if the mounting plate or plates be omitted.

Reference will now be had to Figs. 10 and 11 simultaneously, for same are illustrative of two arrangements. Herein the Fig. 10 embodiment is preferred because, as noted in Fig. 10, all the upper inclined lines are inclined downwardly to the left and all the lower inclined lines are inclined downwardly to the right. This is a compensating or mutually supporting arrangement, that is sag, if any, is of self-cancelling character, whereas in Fig. 11 all lines are inclined downwardly; and toward the same side for both upper and lower sets of lines. No further reference hereto is believed necessary since these figures are diagrammatic only and supplied solely to illustrate this sag compensating or cancellation feature. 1

While the invention has been illustrated and described in great detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character.

The several modifications described herein as well as others which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, all are considered to be within the broad scope of the invention, as determined by the appended claims.

The invention claimed is: 1. An oppositely acting multiple hinge structure including in combination a plurality of channels, alternate channels facing in the same direction, and successive channels confronting each other, successive channels having webs of progressively varying width for channel flange interfitting nesting when closed, and a pair of similar length link bars between each successive pair of channels and pivotally connected to the adjacent ends of each.

2. Structure as defined by claim 1 wherein the links are pivotally secured to the flange portions of the channels and interiorly of the larger channel and exteriorly of the smaller channel.

JAMES H. REICHART.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 68,434 Gould Sept. 3, 1867 550,338 Bauer Nov. 26, 1895 1,771,041 Huebner July 22, 1930 2,261,146 Dow Nov. 4, 1941 2,357,397 Fuller Sept. 5, 1944 2,364,891 Cooper Dec. 12, 1944 

